Games and Toys

Courtenay couple Anne Doyle and David Laverton invented Dice Hockey Challenge, a family-friendly board game for all ice hockey fans. Photo submitted.

Amidst Stanley Cup playoffs, B.C. couple creates hockey-themed board game

The new board game is now available online across Canada

 

This photo provided by The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, N.Y., shows the 2024 inductees into the World Video Game Hall of Fame, located at the museum. Asteroids, Myst, Resident Evil, SimCity and Ultima were inducted, Thursday, May 9, 2024, in recognition of their influence on pop culture and the video game industry. (Evyn Morgan/The Strong National Museum of Play via AP)

Atari’s old-school Asteroids slams its way into World Video Game Hall of Fame

Myst, Resident Evil, SimCity and Ultima also inducted in 10th round of honourees

 

This photo provided by Mattel shows the new version of the board game Scrabble, that includes a new version called Scrabble Together. Mattel has unveiled a double-sided board that features both the classic word-building game and Scrabble Together, a new rendition aimed at making Scrabble more accessible “for anyone who finds word games intimidating." (Mattel via AP)

Iconic word game Scrabble gets its first revamp in 75 years

A new version of Scrabble aims to make the word-building game more accessible

 

Kevin Bergstresser displays his Lego replica of Fort Langley Community Hall. (Submitted photo)

Abbotsford man participates in largest public exhibition of Lego in B.C.

Kevin Bergstresser builds models of buildings and city landscapes

Kevin Bergstresser displays his Lego replica of Fort Langley Community Hall. (Submitted photo)
FILE - A Microsoft Xbox Series X video game console is seen, on Dec. 7, 2021, in Marple Township, Pa. One small step for an intrepid crew of 24th century space explorers could be a giant leap — or flop — for Microsoft when the Xbox-maker launches its long-awaited video game Starfield. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

Microsoft is making 4 exclusive Xbox video games available to rival consoles

Several exclusive Xbox games will be soon making their way to rival…

FILE - A Microsoft Xbox Series X video game console is seen, on Dec. 7, 2021, in Marple Township, Pa. One small step for an intrepid crew of 24th century space explorers could be a giant leap — or flop — for Microsoft when the Xbox-maker launches its long-awaited video game Starfield. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)
FILE - The Hasbro logo is seen, April 26, 2018, in New York. Toy maker Hasbro said Monday, Dec. 11, 2023, that it is cutting about 1,100 jobs, or 20% of its workforce, as the malaise in the toy business extends through another holiday shopping season. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)

Toy giant Hasbro cuts 1,100 jobs, as malaise grips the toy business

Like many toy companies, Hasbro is struggling with a slowdown in sales

FILE - The Hasbro logo is seen, April 26, 2018, in New York. Toy maker Hasbro said Monday, Dec. 11, 2023, that it is cutting about 1,100 jobs, or 20% of its workforce, as the malaise in the toy business extends through another holiday shopping season. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)
Surrey resident Darylle Johnson was a contestant #273 in this fall’s “Squid Game: The Challenge,” a Netflix series. (Contributed photo)

Squid Game Battleship loss sinks B.C. woman’s hopes of $4.56M prize

Darylle Johnson recalls being a contestant on popular Netflix series, filmed in London a year ago

Surrey resident Darylle Johnson was a contestant #273 in this fall’s “Squid Game: The Challenge,” a Netflix series. (Contributed photo)
Mastermind Toys, which sells items that include LEGO, has filed for creditor protection. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

‘Deteriorating’: Mastermind toy store files for creditor protection

Mastermind has stores in Coquitlam, Langley, Abbotsford, Tsawwassen, Langford and Prince George

Mastermind Toys, which sells items that include LEGO, has filed for creditor protection. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
This photo provided by the National Toy Hall of Fame shows their 2023 inductees. From left, NERF, Fisher-Price Corn Popper, Cabbage Patch Kids, and baseball cards. They will be permanently installed at the Toy Hall of Fame in Rochester, NY. (National Toy Hall of Fame via AP)

Perennial runner-up corn popper rolls into the Toy Hall of Fame

Toddler push toy part of a class that includes baseball cards, Cabbage Patch Kids and NERF

This photo provided by the National Toy Hall of Fame shows their 2023 inductees. From left, NERF, Fisher-Price Corn Popper, Cabbage Patch Kids, and baseball cards. They will be permanently installed at the Toy Hall of Fame in Rochester, NY. (National Toy Hall of Fame via AP)
Salmon Arm’s Auldin Maxwell poses with members of his movie family, Nikki Deloach and Lucas Bryant, on the set of A World Record Christmas. (Hallmark Movies photo)

Salmon Arm youth’s record-breaking achievements inspire holiday movie

Auldin Maxwell given cameo in A World Record Christmas

Salmon Arm’s Auldin Maxwell poses with members of his movie family, Nikki Deloach and Lucas Bryant, on the set of A World Record Christmas. (Hallmark Movies photo)
This photo provided by the National Toy Hall of Fame shows five toys that have been finalists for induction multiple times. One will be voted in by fans as the Hall of Fame celebrates its 25th anniversary. The winner, and the rest of the Class of 2023, will be announced in November. (National Toy Hall of Fame via AP)

Childhood’s Forgotten 5 need your help to join Toy Hall of Fame

Fan vote can end runner-up status for My Little Pony, PEZ dispensers, Transformers and more

This photo provided by the National Toy Hall of Fame shows five toys that have been finalists for induction multiple times. One will be voted in by fans as the Hall of Fame celebrates its 25th anniversary. The winner, and the rest of the Class of 2023, will be announced in November. (National Toy Hall of Fame via AP)
Toys “R” Us at Willowbrook Shopping Centre. File photo

Amid a mental health crisis, toy industry takes on a new role: building resilience

As more children emerge from the pandemic grappling with mental health issues,…

Toys “R” Us at Willowbrook Shopping Centre. File photo
Martin Shane, right, customizes the button layout on the Sony Access controller before playing a video game at Sony Interactive Entertainment headquarters Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, in San Mateo, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Sony’s Access controller for the PlayStation aims to make gaming easier for people with disabilities

Paul Lane uses his mouth, cheek and chin to push buttons and…

Martin Shane, right, customizes the button layout on the Sony Access controller before playing a video game at Sony Interactive Entertainment headquarters Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, in San Mateo, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
A scene from “Lego Movie 2,” to be shown Saturday (Aug. 17) at Holland Park as part of the Movies Under the Stars series planned by Downtown Surrey BIA. See listing under Movies.

Toymaker Lego to stick to its quest to find sustainable materials despite failed recycle attempt

Denmark’s Lego said on Monday that it remains committed to its quest…

A scene from “Lego Movie 2,” to be shown Saturday (Aug. 17) at Holland Park as part of the Movies Under the Stars series planned by Downtown Surrey BIA. See listing under Movies.
Salmon Arm’s Auldin Maxwell sits with the five Guinness World Records certificates he received for his record-breaking Jenga block towers. (Kelly Murray photo)

Towering achievement: Salmon Arm teen earns spot in 2024 Guinness World Records

Auldin Maxwell’s knack for stacking Jenga blocks has earned him five world records

Salmon Arm’s Auldin Maxwell sits with the five Guinness World Records certificates he received for his record-breaking Jenga block towers. (Kelly Murray photo)
Step2’s Rain Showers Splash Pond Water Table is easily a top contender for best water table of 2023. Photo: Amazon

7 cool toys for a hot summer

Looking for the perfect birthday gift or simply trying to prepare for…

  • Jun 30, 2023
Step2’s Rain Showers Splash Pond Water Table is easily a top contender for best water table of 2023. Photo: Amazon
Toy Traders owner Matthew Purdy had a professional propmaster build two life-sized Ewoks for his Langley toy store. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance Times)

Ewoks take over Langley toy store for Star Wars anniversary

A local propmaster made the models for Toy Traders

Toy Traders owner Matthew Purdy had a professional propmaster build two life-sized Ewoks for his Langley toy store. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance Times)
This image provided by Mattel, Inc., Tuesday, April 25, 2023, shows its first Barbie doll representing a person with Down syndrome. Mattel collaborated with the National Down Syndrome Society to create the Barbie and "ensure the doll accurately represents a person with Down syndrome," the company said. (Mattel, Inc. via AP)

Mattel introduces first Barbie with Down syndrome

Toy company Mattel revealed its first Barbie doll representing a person with…

This image provided by Mattel, Inc., Tuesday, April 25, 2023, shows its first Barbie doll representing a person with Down syndrome. Mattel collaborated with the National Down Syndrome Society to create the Barbie and "ensure the doll accurately represents a person with Down syndrome," the company said. (Mattel, Inc. via AP)
The iconic Barbie doll has been a part of popular culture since 1959. What is Barbie’s last name? (Pixabay.com)

QUIZ: How well do you know Barbie and her friends?

A live action movie, inspired by the iconic doll, will be shown this summer

The iconic Barbie doll has been a part of popular culture since 1959. What is Barbie’s last name? (Pixabay.com)
Jamie Cygielman, right, general manager and president at American Girl, leaves a youngster browsing the company’s latest holiday showcase doll set, Friday, Dec. 2, 2022, in New York. Cygielman said roughly half its sales went to adults after a relaunch of the first six American Girl dolls in May 2021 to celebrate its 35th anniversary. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

Not just for kids: Toymakers aim more products at grown-ups

Ages 18 and older represented 14% of U.S. toy industry sales for the 12 months ending September 2022

Jamie Cygielman, right, general manager and president at American Girl, leaves a youngster browsing the company’s latest holiday showcase doll set, Friday, Dec. 2, 2022, in New York. Cygielman said roughly half its sales went to adults after a relaunch of the first six American Girl dolls in May 2021 to celebrate its 35th anniversary. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)